ICD-10-CM J03 is the diagnosis code for Acute tonsillitis. This code falls under the section "Acute upper respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 â Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J03. They are mutually exclusive:
The following conditions are not included in J03. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:
Understanding where J03 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, J03 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
J03 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute tonsillitis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
J03 is located in Section J00-J06 â "Acute upper respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
J03 has 3 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J03.0, J03.8, J03.9.
Use J03 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute tonsillitis" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Acute tonsillitis is J03.
No, J03 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
J03 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for J03 include: acute sore throat (J02.-); hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1); peritonsillar abscess (J36) and more.
Yes, J03 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.